It all came so swiftly, so terribly, she scarcely realized what was happening before the storm was upon her.

There was no time for arguments, pleas, anything.

Terrified, shamed, nonplussed, she went down quite limply under this almost lightning attack.

When Aileen began to strike her she attempted in vain to defend herself, uttering at the same time piercing screams which could be heard throughout the house.

She screamed shrilly, strangely, like a wild dying animal.